Taji Mag | Black Culture

Tag Archives: model

Saliyah Itoka was born and raised in Queens, NY but currently resides in Albany, NY. She’s been singing since she was really young, but she didn’t start taking her music career seriously until January 2015 when she also started modeling.

Saliyah has been writing since she was 11. Her creative passions come from working with other artists sharing in their positive energy and learning from them. She has collaborated with other singers and rappers on her project and is very excited to hear the results. Her debut project is in the works and the name that she’s chosen for it is “The Stoop Sessions: Part I”. She’s inspired by singers from the 90’s and early 2000’s such as Aaliyah, Chris Brown, Beyoncé, Toni Braxton, Anita Baker, Tank, Rihanna, Brandy, Whitney Houston, Drake, and The Weeknd. In full light, she wanted to create a project that represented her on all levels. One of her favorite songs on her new project is called “Loving You”. It has a Tevin Campbell sample and has that feel good vibe that she loves about R&B.

She’s done 8 shows since she started her music career, but her most memorable experience as an Artist was her very first showcase because it was the first time she had ever performed her original music. She was nervous but it felt good knowing that people really liked what they heard. As a model, she performed at the February 2015 Atlantic City Fashion Week. It gave her that boost of confidence that she needed to confirm that she was runway model material.

Saliyah is working really hard to complete her project and make it perfect. In her modeling career, she just finished a show during NYFW and she’s just grinding and pushing for the next show and next casting. She just wants to continue to pursue what she loves to do and prove her doubters wrong.

One brief glimpse is all it takes
to become enchanted by her mystery.
created exquisitely, she moves fluidly
within and throughout the living waters.
She may only appear for a moment,
but a single moment is enough
to influence one toward becoming
fully immersed in her aqueous realm.
Searching for nautical miles;
following her song of sweet serenity.
Many would be unable to see it through.
Though there are few who would never
set foot on dry land again;
who would forever
hold their breath and swim
along side her for eternity…

As she investigates the surface,
she does not succumb to the shallows.
She remains free to come and go as she pleases.
It is in her nature to manifest
that which her heart desires.
However simple or extraordinary it may be.
From time to time she ventures to the shore
and makes a splash
before returning to the sea.
Like the waves that crash on the sandy beach,
she brings with her many treasures
but takes a part of it when she leaves.
Tidal movements guided by lunar Inergies.
Those who are fortunate enough to feel her presence
would be unable to forget;
While others sail around the world to find her
but never catch her in their net…

Her depths, they are uncharted,
there is another world in her eyes.
She travels across oceans,
navigates the estuaries;
journeys up streams and rivers.
She is known around the globe by many names:
La Sirene, Mama Glow, Madre de agua,
Yemoja, Oshun, MamiWata…
For millennia her legend has been told.
A deity in the mortal world;
many see her as a fantasy.
She piques the imagination.
However, this mystical being
is no mere mythical creature.
She is divine, yet misunderstood
so she changes form
and remains hidden from the unworthy man.
Those who betray and hurt her;
they who cannot honor her with fidelity
will never sight her again once she has submerged.
Yet there need only be one to recognize her
and create a sacred space; a safe haven
for the Goddess to re-emerge!

“Helios is known as the god of the sun in greek mythology. I always show the paramount nature of the black woman. With the defined and unyielding beauty which Emma has, I had no other in mind to show what the god of the sun looks like.”

Shanice Thompson is a very strong fashion, swimsuit, afro-art and artistic model. She literally took over the beach and drew a crowd. She is a fresh face mainly featured on the runway and video projects. This is her first official swimsuit photo shoot with this agency and we love it.

Model/actor Patrick Marcelino, aka Rascamarao, released his first calendar. All of the images featured are from photoshoots he did in 2015, when his career as a model officially launched. Patrick Marcelino is a Brazilian born and raised in The Netherlands, and currently living in New York. He gave up everything back home to make his dream come true in the States as a model/actor. Right now he is fighting to earn $5000 to pay for his working visa, and creativity decided to make his calendar. Buying one of these calendars will contribute to make Patrick’s dream become a reality. Enjoy what you see. Remember: (everything in life is possible)

Creative afrocentric expression exploring the various beautiful and original designs of Africa. Representing Africa as a whole and not one specific country, the photographer, model, and stylist came together as a team to further this stylistic investigation. Speaking on black beauty as well as a thank you to our culture.

While mainstream media continues to spotlight negative attention towards people of color, very little is said about true artists in various fields. Artists that collaborate or self-motivate have always been seen as the underdogs to those who take the easy way out. These days, not many artists of color connect with each other, feeling that the industries they work for only have room for a few candidates to succeed. Dynamic duo, Devon Taylor and Daphne Lee, are making an impact in the art world today and are defying odds.

An accomplished Drummer, Actor and Model, Devon Taylor, hailing from Camden, NJ, uses his “inspiration of all art forms” to excel his expression. Currently playing for vocal artist, Nadjah Nicole, Devon spreads his passion by collaborating with artists locally and around the globe. Devon has a need to just make music and teach others on really telling a story. “I am all about art expression” says Taylor, “the story you tell when you’re on stage and when you are able to mentally and emotionally connect with your audience.” Devon even has his own production company where people can request his connections of talent for various events. Just recently, he connected with an NAACP ACT-SO regional gold medalist alumni (like himself), Daphne Lee, who is also a New Jersey native.

A professional dancer who is currently a ballerina for Collage Dance Collective in Memphis, TN, Daphne has always made a statement through other mediums of art via music, speaking engagements, and visual art, but most recently her photographs. “Ever since college, photographers connected with me not only as a dancer, but a ballerina of color to spread awareness of the lack of black female ballet dancers not being exposed in the media”. Even though her resumes extends from working with Beyonce, to being part of Ailey 2, Daphne mentions that there is a bigger purpose to it all.

Devon and Daphne collaborated with Memphis Photographer Ziggy Mack (@fomoloop) to demonstrate that art serves a huge purpose. Music and dance go hand in hand and with these NJ Artist, they want to continue to educate, inspire and mentor future artists of color to collaborate. They are always looking for a platform to connect with other musicians, photographers and visual artists. Follow Daphne and Devon on their careers on all social media platforms and watch their passion create pathways for the next generation.

“You’re not an African because you’re born in Africa. You’re an African because Africa is born in you. It’s in your genes…. your DNA… your entire biological make up. Whether you like it or not, that’s the way it is…” ~ Marimba Ani